Ribbon-cutting marks 10th anniversary of Batesville’s Maxfield Park

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Maxfield Park to celebrate recent renovations and the park’s 10th anniversary. The downtown park has become a gathering place for families, nature lovers and music enthusiasts.

Retired Rear Adm. Robert (Bob) Carius called the park “a beautiful memorial to the Maxfield Family and the brainchild of Danny Dozier.” He recalled Dozier approaching him with the idea for the park: “I said, I’ll find the money, and you do all the work!” Carius emphasized that the project’s success was thanks to broad community support.

Dozier, who spearheaded the creation of the park, noted its growth and popularity: “Since its establishment, the park has had a large increase in volume, and I love to see people using it. That use also brought wear and tear, but thanks to the Batesville Downtown Foundation, the Strahl Trust, and generous donors, we’ve been able to lay durable turf that will last for years.”

Midwest Lime Co. donated materials, and the city of Batesville, under the leadership of Steven Nichols, assisted with preparation work. Forever Lawns of the Ozarks of Springfield, Missouri, installed the new turf.

Maxfield Park, once the site of historic family-owned businesses, was donated by Anne Maxfield Strahl to honor her family’s legacy. Dozier envisioned and directed its transformation beginning in 2015, using salvaged stone and artifacts from across Batesville to create its stone walls, waterfalls, playground and gathering spaces. The park officially opened in 2019 and is now maintained by the Batesville Downtown Foundation and Batesville Parks. For reservations, contact Batesville Parks at 870-698-2427.

Ambassadors in attendance include: Aaron Herndon (Citizens Bank), Amy Crouch-Howard (Weichert, Realtors – The Property Shoppe), Andrea Bruner (Network of Community Options), Cassidy Mitchell (Lyon College), Cori Perkey (Southern Bank), Eva Henriksen (Merchants & Planters Bank), John High (Qualls Batesville Funeral Service), Julie Hinkle (Bank of Cave City), Kaitlin Thorogood (Jay Chafin Insurance Agency), Lindy Hopper (First Community Bank), Lori Campbell (Batesville School District), Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care Center), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Rickie Westbrook (Centennial Bank), Sarah Ring (Southern Bank), and Tammy Jeffrey (First Community Bank).

Image: Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce